PA Chamber, Energy Coalition Urges Gov. Shapiro, Lawmakers to Support Pro-Growth Energy Policy

HARRISBURG – The Stop New Energy Taxes Coalition, led by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and representing key industry associations across the state, today sent a letter to Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania General Assembly ahead of the governor’s budget address, urging them to prioritize policies that support Pennsylvania’s energy sector and avoid imposing new or increased energy taxes.

The letter emphasizes the vital role Pennsylvania’s energy sector, and natural gas industry in particular, play in driving economic growth, creating family-sustaining jobs, and ensuring an affordable and reliable energy supply. It warns that new energy taxes would increase costs for families and businesses, making the state less competitive for investment.

“Affordable energy is a cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness,” the letter reads. “New energy taxes could increase costs for families and businesses while making Pennsylvania less attractive compared to states with more competitive, business-friendly environments.”

The coalition calls for bipartisan collaboration to maintain tax stability, streamline permitting, and foster innovation, ensuring Pennsylvania remains a leader in energy production and economic growth. The letter also highlights the success of the state’s Impact Fee, which has generated over $2.7 billion in revenue for Pennsylvania communities since 2012.

Full text of the letter is available here.

PA Chamber: Commonwealth Court Decision Overturning RGGI a Win for Consumers and An Opportunity for Long-Term Solutions

HARRISBURG  Luke Bernstein, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, issued the following statement in response to today’s Commonwealth Court decision that found former Gov. Tom Wolf’s attempt to enter Pennsylvania into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to be unconstitutional:

“We agree with the Commonwealth Court’s conclusion that joining RGGI would result in a tax on energy producers and that only the legislature has the power to tax. We emphasized this point in an amicus brief our organization submitted with several other groups, and we appreciate the Court’s recognition of our concerns.

“We also shared other concerns of business, labor, consumers, and state lawmakers that Pennsylvania’s entrance into RGGI would have threatened to significantly increase energy prices at a time when businesses and families are already facing high prices and the grid operator is raising red flags about the pace of power plant retirements. Policymakers should embrace abundant domestic energy production, facilitate building new infrastructure, support competitive markets, and set long-term policies that encourage innovation and prioritize reliability. This comprehensive approach is congruent with emissions reductions goals, and Pennsylvania – which is second nationally in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions since 2005 – should continue these efforts.

“However, as we noted at the onset and throughout the process, the regulation did not sufficiently protect the state’s electricity and manufacturing sectors, nor did it guard against the potential for significant run-up in electricity or commodity prices. Businesses, whether they generate or consume power, need both affordable energy and long-term certainty.

“We encourage the Governor to let the court’s decision stand and continue working with stakeholders and the General Assembly on policy that leverages our state’s strengths for the benefit of our economy, national security, and the environment.”